Resistencia, City of Sculptures, Argentina

Los Chaguares Nature Reserve, Argentina

The wilds of “The Chaco” called to us. We wanted to get out of the city and see the countryside. We took a taxi to a nature reserve called, “Los Chaguares”. They offered a guided walk through the forest and across the Paraná River.

This poor beast was carried in from the road. The park staff made sure he was healthy and released him into the wild.

Los Chaguares

Los Chaguares is a plant. The Latin name is Bromelia serra. The common names are Bayonet Bromelia and Toothed Chaguar. The leaves have a ‘margin of forward-pointing teeth’. And I thought the briars we have around here were rough. Try making your way through that at night without a flashlight.

Fiber from this plant is called ‘chaguar’. People use it to make rope, hammocks, sails, sacks, nets, etc. Medicinally, it treats urinary tract inflammation and is also used to heal wounds. The fruit is eaten raw or boiled, and the seeds are a substitute for popcorn! It really is a versatile plant. I gleaned this information from the nature reserve. See the photo below. There was no information in English.